Truth B. Told

I created The CRT Mixtape Calendar as a form of both recovery and rebellion that also gives back.

I researched hundreds of Black history facts while recovering from brain surgery to create this calendar as a direct pushback against the attempts to erase Black history and Black culture.

25% of all sales directly benefit local and national arts and community groups like NAACP, I Am Root and more!

Order your physical calendar or download your digital “evolving” calendar to your phone TODAY at tbtpoetry.com.

I created The CRT Mixtape Calendar as a form of both recovery and rebellion that also gives back.

I researched hundreds of Black history facts while recovering from brain surgery to create this calendar as a direct pushback against the attempts to erase Black history and Black culture.

25% of all sales directly benefit local and national arts and community groups like NAACP, I Am Root and more!

Order your physical calendar + download your digital “evolving” calendar for daily updates to your phone NOW at tbtpoetry.com

My first flight after brain surgery was for an artist residency in Connecticut with a PHENOMENAL team of creatives. 🙌🏽

The week was more than a chance to learn from and work alongside other great artists; it was time for us to experience peace, joy, + hold space for each other while supporting our fearless leader Deborah Mouton and bond with our team.

Last week was everything I never knew I needed. Hanging out in a mansion didn’t hurt, either. 😏

Follow Call Me Mother to learn more about this vital project focusing on Black Maternal Health.

This June feels worlds apart from last June.

New chapbook dropped on my surgery anniversary. First featured performance in Phoenix in 589 days. First open mic performance in 596 days. Announced The CRT Mixtape Project on Juneteenth weekend.
And a return to the stage with my cast family for an extended show of “Let’s Rock” to close out the month.

But nothing has blown my mind more than…my mind.

I don’t take for granted that I’m here, capable of delivering at the level I previously performed at while still figuring things out in this new space. Rest and intention are non-negotiable these days, and learning how to build a new norm while tending to my brain in an unprecedented manner…and there’s also the prospect of shoulder(and likely wrist) surgery late summer to early fall.

I’m also excited to build on last month’s momentum, starting with focusing on The CRT Mixtape Calendar. I created this calendar during my brain surgery recovery with the intention to not only push back against the erasure of Black history but also to benefit institutions that protect and groups who uplift Black culture. To that effect, 25% of all profits from physical and digital calendar sales directly benefit local NAACP chapters and other community groups nationwide.

Bulk orders for businesses and larger groups accepted! Download and/or order your digital and physical calendars TODAY at tbtpoetry.com.

This Saturday and Sunday! Catch this special mix of community, spoken word, music, theater and activism, Let's Rock: From Shakespeare to Tupac featuring a stellar cast including Chris "Truth B. Told" Owens, trumpeter Gabriel Bey, artist/poet/choreographer Theoresia Reynolds, poet Rashaad Thomas and more. Saturday, 6/27 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 6/28 at 2 p.m. - get tickets at https://asukerr.com

Conceived by Rod Ambrose | Conceptual Artist - Rod Ambrose conceived Let’s Rock: From Shakespeare to Tupac, which features the poetry of some of the greatest artists of the past 500 years. Rod is a visionary cultural leader, raconteur, unconventional arts-activist and tradition-bearer that is perhaps the longest lead actor to grace the stages at Black Theatre Troupe, 1970-2012!

Directed by James E. Garcia

TONIGHT!!! Join us as we return to the stage with an extended version of the play which receive multiple standing ovations during our first run at Herberger! If you want to laugh, be moved and have a good time, do not miss this timely, poignant and powerful event. Tickets available at asukerr.com!

“Yeah, I’m thinking I’m back.” -John Wick

June began celebrating one year post brain surgery. It continues with my first featured spoken word performance since November 2024. It’s already included writing a fun, reminiscent new blog that connects me to Spider-Noir and Tubi. It ends with a two-night return to the stage at with an extended version of the play that I promise you’re going to want to witness.

A month like this was unimaginable less than four months ago. Now, it’s the launching point. I am grateful to have made it here. I thank each and every one of you who helped me get to this point, and I am excited for what’s to come starting this Saturday at .

Also: it’s time to discuss The CRT Mixtape in full. More on that later.

Please visit tbtpoetry.com and I hope to see you Saturday.

What do I, Spider-Man and Tubi have in common? Everything ties to one particular individual, and the story tied to it is a special one to me. Readers get a special treat at the end!!!

Newest post on In Between The Rhymes is available NOW.

WHAT DO TRUTH B. TOLD, SPIDER-MAN AND TUBI HAVE IN COMMON?

The answer is Bruce Marshall Romans...but first, a word about Kentucky:

Kentucky State University and Louisville, KY will forever have a place in my heart. To me they will always be a home, community, and the birthplace and training grounds for the artist now known as Truth B. Told.

My early years as a poet were at spent at Kentucky State University and throughout Louisville. HBCUs were the spaces that fostered my growth as a poet, first at Southern when I stumbled across my first open mic, and at Kentucky State where I hosted my first open mic, Lyrical Therapy. On Saturday, March 15, 2003 my life would be forever changed when I stopped by a community open mic at a coffeehouse called Expressions of You.

What started as an open mic performance with an awkward first impression (another story for another time) turned into a hosting job the very next week which over the course of the next decade—and for years prior to my arrival—Expressions of You would be a staple in the community as a safe space, bastion for talent and a sought-out space to perform. James and Camille Linton’s space was a launching pad for many creatives and community leaders, including myself.

Expressions was so much more than a poetry and music open mic, it was a safe space, community pillar and space of opportunity for creatives and entrepreneurs. In fact, many of CultureHUB’s community initiatives are directly inspired by the impact and opportunities provided to community creatives through Expressions of You.

Prior to one particular Saturday night, James informed me that Bruce was working on a film and to invite the best poets and musicians in the city out for a chance to be in the film. When Saturday arrived we reached capacity ninety minutes before showtime. I remember the doors being propped open—in the summertime—because it was THAT packed, and the energy and the performers that evening were incredible.

After it was all said and done, Bruce decided to cast myself and a few others to be in his film for an open mic scene. I remember my day on set being a blast. For hours everyone worked shot scenes and in between shots I had the privilege of entertaining everyone on set alongside my homie Vincent Fews aka Soul aka Soul River Brown). The experience on set was more than my first movie opportunity; at that time it opened my eyes to the potential of opportunities I could have if I took my writing seriously. The twenty-plus years that followed have been confirmation to that potential.

I am forever grateful to Bruce for casting a young poet and open his eyes to the possibility of what could be.

By now I’m certain you’re asking, “Cool story…but what does this have to do with Spider-Man and Tubi?”

I’m glad you asked!

You can go on Tubi now and watch “How You Look to Me” starring Bruce Marshall Romans and Frank Langella, with appearances by yours truly, Soul, and other Louisville poets. If you were around during that era, or a fan of my early work, I promise you the open mic scene alone will be a wonderful trip down memory lane.

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Bruce’s latest project “Spider-Noir” starring Nicolas Cage and Lamorne Morris on Amazon Prime.

I proudly support and stand with TN Representative Justin Jones.

Our ancestors fought. WE WILL FIGHT.